Bush spokesman won't deny that Rove is finished at the White House

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/11/20051103-3.html

<snip> Can you comment on The Washington Post report that there is some considerations that Rove should be leaving the White House?

MR. McCLELLAN: A couple of things. One, there's a lot of speculation going around at this time that relates to an ongoing investigation and an ongoing legal proceeding, and I'm not going to get into speculating about anything relating to that. You know, I will reiterate what I said the other day: there is no discussion of staff changes, beyond the usual vacancies that occur and beyond the ones we just announced relating to the vacancy that occurred in the Vice President's Office. And I also pointed out that it's always the prerogative of the President to have a team in place that he feels best helps him advance his agenda and meet his needs. And we all always serve at the pleasure of the President, but that's just speaking more broadly and that's why I wanted to reiterate what I said the other day, that there is no discussion of staff changes, beyond typical vacancies and beyond the ones we've just recently filled.

Q So Rove might leave is part of a, sort of, natural staff turnover?

MR. McCLELLAN: See, this is a question trying to get me to play into all the speculation that's going on, and I'm just not going to do that. But that's why I reiterated the broader points that I've already made to you all earlier this week and those comments remain the same.

Q Well, The Post story, are you - I'm not hearing a denial here.

MR. McCLELLAN: No, I'm telling you I'm not going to get into all the speculation. Karl Rove is the Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the President. He continues to carry out his duties. But that's why I pointed out that, in terms of the question came up in the context of any discussion of staff changes, and that's why I reiterated what I said earlier.

Q Any discussion of an apology by him to staff?

MR. McCLELLAN: I've already addressed that question; I don't have anything else to add to it.

Q Just one more thing, did anything in particular trigger the Gerson mission to Sudan?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I just wanted to update you, it's something that I thought is of interest and that you all should be aware of. Deputy Secretary Zoellick met with the first vice president, I guess, of the national unity government of Sudan earlier this week. I think that was on Monday or Tuesday -- maybe Tuesday. And he talked about his upcoming trip to Sudan. The situation in Sudan is a high priority for the President. The situation in Darfur is something that we are concerned about. There has been recent increases in violence there. And it's been a priority for this President from day one, that's why he tapped Senator Danforth to lead our efforts there and help bring about the comprehensive peace agreement between the north and south, and we want to see how that - you know, Deputy Secretary Zoellick has been tapped by Secretary Rice to be kind of point person within the State Department to address these issues. He's been to the region before. Our Assistant Secretary Jendayi Frazer, has recently been to the region. And it remains a high priority for us and we want to - the President wants to get a firsthand report from Mike about the situation, both in Darfur and how the peace agreement is being implemented.

We continue to urge all parties to refrain from violence as the Abuja talks are in recess. So we want to see them move forward on the peace talks for Darfur, as well.

Q Thanks.

END 2:20 P.M. EST

[Skittles]

1. "the vacancy that occurred in the Vice President's Office"

:rofl:

[NV Whino]

2. Doncha love it!

:rofl:

[nomaco-10]

3. You know, something still sticks out.....

in my mind from the friday indictment of Libby. Cameras followed KKKarl to his car and asked for a comment before the indictment came down that morning and KKKarl, in a particularly chipper voice with a smirk plastered across his face said "it's a great friday and it's going to be a great weekend".

Why did he feel it was necessary to make that comment in such a flip and glib manner? Why comment at all? Everyone knew Scooter was going down that day and Rove had been doing some fast maneuvering to avoid indictment all week. It was almost a jab at Libby, a neener, neener kind of remark. Sure, it's a KKKarl kind of moment, but does he not realize that Scooty boy may balk at the prospect of being somebody's prison bitch and roll over on KKK's fat ass. I don't know, I thought it was interesting. Rove just may have outroved himself that friday morning.

[dogfacedboy]

4. This guy McClellan is like the

White House prison bitch. What a sackless whore.

[Strathos]

5. " natural staff turnover?"

That has me concerned. To me it sounds like Rove will go but they'll explain it away as "natural staff turnover".

Anyone else see that?

[ComerPerro]

6. I'd certainly hope he is done.

Of course, he will still be involved with Bush and the GOP campaigns. Just not overtly.